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cause célèbre

[kawz suh-leb-ruh, -leb, kohz sey-leb-r^uh]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

causes célèbres

any controversy that attracts great public attention, as a celebrated legal case or trial.

cause célèbre

/ koz selɛbrə, ˈkɔːz səˈlɛbrə, -ˈlɛb /

noun

a famous lawsuit, trial, or controversy

cause célèbre

A cause or issue, generally political, that arouses public opinion: “The question of the draft was a cause célèbre in the 1960s.” From French, meaning “celebrated cause.”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cause célèbre¹

First recorded in 1755–65; from French: literally, “famous case”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cause célèbre¹

C19: from French: famous case

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The idea has become a cause celebre in certain circles.

From

While the sum demanded by Mr Lliuya was very low, the case has become a cause celebre for climate change activists, who hope that it will set a precedent for holding powerful firms to account.

From

Addressing this has become a cause célèbre on the right, though liberals have also recognized the problem.

From

If you'll recall it was the cause celebre of the 2021 Virginia governor's race which had all the DC tongues wagging about the resurgence of the right-wing culture war.

From

By that fall, Drakeo had become a cause célèbre.

From

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